Observations, Rants, and Examination, of things political, philosophical, historical and tragicomical. Likely to be yet another collection of barnacles on the hull of blogshpere.

Tuesday, July 27

Oompa or Loompa you make the call

From the Kerry rapid response website comes this interesting analysis of the Bush/Cheney campaign, by one of there own:

“The Bush-Cheney penchant for attack-dog politics is out of control. Dick Cheney isn’t just going after Democrats, now he's going after Republicans and violating the eleventh commandment. It's time for a new administration that focuses on making America stronger at home and respected in the world, not one that takes gratuitous potshots,” said Kerry campaign spokesperson Phil Singer.

“I used to represent people in courts in the south. So I wish we’d get off that.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham said of Edwards: “He has been a lightning rod for a lot of attacks. You know, people in my party beat on John Edwards for being a trial lawyer. As far as I know John made his money honestly. I used to represent people in courts in the south. So I wish we'd get off that.

It wouldn't be the same guy who cried foul on George Stephanopoulos' show would it:

Stephanopoulos, who hadn't planned to discuss the subject, asked the South Carolina Republican to explain.

"There was this hatefest in New York, where people who don't mind being called liberal got up and ran President Bush into the ground and applauded these two gentlemen [Kerry and Edwards]," Graham said.

"I want that tape," Graham insisted again, this time with a touch of anger. "And let's see people in Louisiana and South Carolina - let's hear what was said in New York and let's look at the reactions of Edwards and Kerry."

Remember that this was a private gathering, Never mind that Dennis Miller along for the ride on the Bush campaign trail, basically insinuated that Kerry and Edwards were gay, and the media?..........crickets chirping.........we could go on and on, but it is nice to know that Senator Graham can be reasonable....If he want's to.........but calling the democratic fundraiser where Whoopi made her jokes, a Hatefest, is a little harsh, isn't it. But the senator is from the South, and they seem to have a little trouble from time to time with this affliction known as "the vapors".

The Bill of Rights

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom
of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably
to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,
the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house,
without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war,
but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures,
shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon
probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly
describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime,
unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases
arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual
service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject
for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb;
nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself,
nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law;
nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy
and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein
the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously
ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation;
to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for
obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars,
the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall
be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States,
than according to the rules of the common law.

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not
be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution,
nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the
States respectively, or to the people.

Gettysburg Address

Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation,
conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived
and so dedicated can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to
dedicate a portion of it as a final resting place for those who died here that that nation might
live. This we may, in all propriety do. But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot
consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have
hallowed it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember
what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

It is rather for us the living,
we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take
increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion--that
we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation shall have a
new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not
perish from the earth."